Romsey Youth Choir
Romsey Youth Choir got its start back in October 2010 and has grown into a proper community fixture with around 100 singers spread across three groups.
The main Romsey Youth Choir takes young people aged 11 to 21, while the Chamber Choir suits older or more experienced voices. Younger ones join the Romsey Youth Children’s Choir, aimed at school years 3 to 6. None require auditions, which keeps things open and welcoming for anyone keen to sing.
Rehearsals happen locally, building towards a mix of performances that go beyond the usual school stuff. They have scooped cups at music festivals in Bath, Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth over the years.
Collaborations pop up regularly with groups like the Romsey Male Voice Choir, Romsey Concert Band or even visiting ensembles such as the South Wales Male Voice Choir. Venues vary from Romsey Abbey for Christmas and summer concerts to bigger spots like Winchester Cathedral or the Anvil in Basingstoke.
Tours add another layer, with trips to places like Belgium where they sang at the Menin Gate, northern Italy for concerts in Brescia and Verona, or Norfolk for sea shanties and local gigs.
These outings mix sightseeing with singing, often earning praise for the group’s discipline and sound.
A professor from Vienna Music Conservatoire once highlighted their blended tone and dynamics after a performance abroad.
Closer to home, they join charity events, harvest festivals or multi-choir concerts supporting causes like Teenage Cancer Trust or air ambulance funds.
The repertoire pulls from classics like The Rose to gospels, shanties and contemporary pieces, keeping sessions varied. Social side includes theatre outings, quizzes or barbecues, helping members bond outside rehearsals.
Feedback from parents, hosts and audiences tends to focus on how the choir boosts confidence and teamwork among young singers, with comments calling tours “amazing” and the group “incredible ambassadors” for Romsey.